Civils contractors today welcomed the publication of the UK Government’s Clean Energy Jobs Plan, which sets out a national drive to recruit and train workers for the energy transition.
The plan includes provision for 400,000 new jobs by 2030, five new Clean Energy Technical Excellence Colleges, targeted support for priority trades, a £100m Engineering Skills Package, regional skills pilots, and extended use of the Energy Skills Passport to help workers transition from oil and gas to renewables. In total, the Government forecasts that total employment in clean energy could reach 860,000 by the end of the decade.
Commenting, Director of Policy & Public Affairs for the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) Ben Goodwin said: “This is a welcome, jobs-first plan that highlights the scale of the opportunities offered by the energy transition.
“It must now be matched with the accelerated delivery of enabling civil engineering works in renewables and in clean energy schemes to convert the UK Government’s ambitions into high-paying jobs in every region and in every nation of the UK.
“If the Government couples today’s workforce measures with a streamlined planning system, measures to unblock projects, and a strong pipeline of shovel-ready projects, the UK will create skilled, secure, and well-paid jobs across the civils supply chain that will drive clean growth and create opportunities across the country.
“This should coincide with outcome-based procurement that rewards early contractor involvement, prompt payment throughout the supply chain, and making sure skills investment aligns with where the work is. To this end, the new Clean Energy Technical Excellence Colleges and regional pilots must align with civils demand.
“The Government’s commitment to well-paying, skilled jobs in our sector is to be applauded, and CECA members stand ready to partner with clients, education providers, and other stakeholders to expand capacity quickly.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Government to ensure the energy transition is supported by clear pipelines of investment, taking on the blockers to growth, and establishing commercial models that enable SMEs and regional contractors to scale up in the months and years ahead.”
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